100 Climate Actions from Cities in Asia and the Pacific

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• Publisher: Asian Development Bank
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9789292628703
• eBook ISBN: 9789292628710
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Renewable Power Resources
• Index: Technology & Engineering

This publication showcases 100 projects and programs of the Asian Development Bank, development partners, governments, and the private sector to support cities across Asia and the Pacific in addressing the challenges of climate change. The climate actions were drawn from multiple sectors—renewable energy, carbon finance, transport, land use, information and communication technology, climate action plans, building energy efficiency, solid waste management, sustainable and low-carbon communities, and climate resilience. The stories featured demonstrate how city-level initiatives contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience, all while delivering economic, environmental, health, and social co-benefits.

Urban Transport and Mobility

→ Rapidly growing cities in Asia and the Pacific are tackling challenges related to urban mobility and hazardous air quality with low-carbon and sustainable transportation solutions. The road to decarbonizing urban transport often starts with incentivizing public transport, integrating clean energy vehicles, and creating more pedestrian-friendly urban design.

JINHUA, PRC

The PRC’s First Electric Bus Network

To strengthen the viable alternatives of low-carbon travel, Jinhua city in the PRC opened its first electric bus rapid transit (BRT) line, stretching 180 km through the city.

The PRC’s first electric BRT first opened in 2015, providing Jinhua’s 5 million citizens with a low-carbon alternative to driving—still the number one form of transport in the city.

The bus route, which has its own lane throughout the city, bypasses cars stationary in traffic and helps reduce air pollution by taking cars off the road. Jinhua’s BRT has 167 buses operating across six different lines across the city, able to accommodate 50,000 passengers per day.

With the urban population growing at about 15 million people per year, almost 60% of residents now live in cities (up from one-third in 2000). With this increase comes a challenge in providing low-cost and efficient transportation. Electric BRT is one way to provide an alternative to polluting and inefficient car transport, reducing emissions from the transportation sector.

Globally, BRT has proven to be a high-capacity public transport mode that can be implemented in a short time and at a relatively low cost. The challenge lies in how BRT is perceived among citizens, as it is often considered inferior to metro systems and private vehicles.

↑50K

PASSENGERS PER DAY ON THE BRT

	Inhabitants 5.62 million
	GDP per capita $12,288
	Geographic area 10,942 km^2

THE CHALLENGE

In recent years, the number of private cars in Jinhua has increased annually by 15%, resulting in poor air quality and congestion. In response, the municipal government is establishing an integrated, multimodal public transport system with rapid transit as its backbone.

CO-BENEFITS

Social

Affordable public transport such as BRT can help improve access to public services such as health care and job opportunities for all parts of society.

Health

Replacing private vehicles with BRT can reduce air pollution and improve air quality for citizens in Jinhua.

Low-carbon public transport. Jinhua has opened the PRC’s first electric BRT line, comprising 167 buses operating across six different lines in the city, and providing a low-carbon alternative to driving (photo by Yonghe Sun).

LIUZHOU, PRC

The Liuzhou Model for Mobility Electrification

The “Liuzhou Model” is a public–private partnership to encourage widespread adoption of electric vehicles throughout the city of Liuzhou which has already resulted in significant increases in electric vehicle adoption.

Through an innovative approach known as the “Liuzhou Model,” the city is encouraging more and more citizens to convert to electric vehicles. This has involved assessing market demand in the city, providing test drives, promoting charging sockets, and providing special parking spaces for new energy vehicles throughout the city.

Together with the electric vehicle company SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile, Liuzhou conducted market research to find that in 80% of city journeys, only one person is present in the car. This led to the development of a small and affordable two-seater vehicle, specifically designed for short urban transport and easy parking. A 10-month test period was also offered to citizens, after which 70% of users decided to purchase the vehicle.

Progress is being ...

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Foreword
• Introduction
• Acknowledgments
• Abbreviations
• Weights and Measures
• Prologue
• Clean and Renewable Energy
• Carbon Finance and Partnership
• Urban Transport and Mobility
• Land Use and Forestry
• Smart Cities
• Sustainable and Low-Carbon Communities
• Climate Action Plans and Inventories
• Building Energy Efficiency
• Solid Waste
• Climate Resilience
• Methodology
• Index
• Footnotes
• Back Cover